Syllabus

There's so much exciting stuff that computer scientists get to work on: computer security, cloud computing, processor design, robotic navigation, real-time graphics, getting computers to understand writing / speech / images / the world in general… Underlying all these topics, and dozens more, are a basic set of mathematical topics. The purpose of this course is to give you a solid mathematical grounding for deeper study in Computer Science. We'll cover proofs, recursion, encoding, asymptotic analysis, probability, and number theory (including cryptography).

• Attendance. I expect that you will attend every class meeting possible — you are responsible for accommodations if you must miss a class. I won't always take roll, but I reserve the right to do so during any class. You may be absent up to twice when I take roll without it affecting your grade. Unless you've made formal arrangements with me in advance*, there are no excused absences beyond this.
• Presence. “Presence” is more than just physically being there. Turn off your phone, do not text during class, do not use your computer for anything other than in-class activities and note-taking, etc. We've only got a short time together, so let's make the most of it.
• Asking Questions. If you have a question, your classmates are probably wondering about it too. Raise your hand, interrupt me if you need to, but don't stay silent! If my answer to your question isn't helpful, let me know; I'd much rather take the time to answer your question right than to leave you and your classmates confused.

• Readings. Read the book! There will be a (relatively) short reading assigned at the end of most class sessions that will prepare you for the next class. The lectures are pretty fast-paced, and I'll be assuming that you prepared by reading the book, and asking questions about stuff you didn't understand. Also, the great thing about a book is that you can take as much time with it as you want; it's often helpful to return to the reading after class, while you're working on your homework, and while you're studying for exams.

  I'd strongly recommend reading with a partner or two. A lot of this material can be tough to understand when you're reading it alone; having somebody to bounce ideas off of helps a lot.

• Homework. Problem sets will be assigned almost every day, and typically due two class meetings later. The problem sets are important: honestly, they'll probably be the things from which you learn most in this class. You will be graded on a randomly selected subset of the problems in each problem set; there are a lot of you, and the grader can't grade every problem by every person. If you're confused about a problem — before or after you submit it, whether you got graded on it or not — please come talk to me about it; I want to help you figure it out.
• Exams. There are two in-class midterm exams and one sit-down final exam. If you need accommodations for test-taking because of a disability, please contact me early and we will make appropriate arrangements.
• Talking to Me. Keep me in the loop. If there's anything at all you want to talk to me about, particularly if you're struggling, please stop by my office hours or email me to schedule a time to talk. The whole reason I'm here is to help you learn. You may also find the anonymous feedback form useful.

If you need help with an assignment or studying, you can consult with other students, ask a teddy bear (really! It works!), consult the book, search online, post to Piazza, ask a lab assistant, ask the prefect, or come to me. We'll talk some in class about good strategies for working through assignments.

I also want to help you if you need it, so please come see me! Though I'll do what I can via Piazza, I can generally give much better answers in person. My office hours are posted on my faculty page; please either stop by then or email me several hours in advance to arrange to meet. I am rarely available on Tuesdays and weekends, as I reserve those for research, other work, and being a person. I try to respond to electronic communication promptly, but I can't promise any faster turnaround than the afternoon of our next class meeting after the day that you contact me.

There are also a number of college-wide resources available through the Academic Support Center: the wonderful Math Skills Center, the Write Place, an Academic Skills Coach, a tutoring program, and others. The library and Student Health and Counseling are also there to support you. Finally, the CS department has a smattering of online resources.

Your grade will be computed as follows:

Your grade will be computed according to the table to the right. I reserve (and often exercise) the right to rebalance these percentages to increase your final grade; I will never change these weights in a way that lowers your grade. Using the above weights, a total of 90% and up will earn you some level of A, 80% and up at least some level of B, 70% and up at least some level of C, 60% and up at least some level of D.

You are allowed up to three “late passes” throughout the term. To use a late pass on a particular assignment, clearly mark at the top of your hand-in that you are doing so. A late pass allows you to turn in an assignment at the hand-in time (1:30pm) of the next class day after the original due date, without any penalty.

This scheme is designed to eliminate the distinction between “legitimate” and “illegitimate” late submissions. Unless something truly extraordinary happens, there will be no other extensions given. If you turn something in late, no explanation is necessary or desired.

Great work (and great learning) often happens in groups, and you should collaborate with your classmates a lot in this course. There is a big difference, though, between thinking about and solving a problem as a group (which is good), and copying an answer from someone else or letting someone else copy your answer (which is bad). The formal policy below lays this out explicitly, and supplements the College's academic integrity policy and the Dean of the College's detailed guide to academic integrity.

I am obligated by Carleton policy to report any suspected violations to the Dean’s office. The Dean, in turn, brings it to the Academic Standing Committee. The academic penalty for a finding of responsibility can range from a grade of zero on the specific assignment to an F for the course.

If you have any doubt about any aspect of this policy, ask beforehand!